The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park with Kids
There’s something unexpected about this place. Hidden in the middle of the Midwest, it seems like this is a spot that no one is really talking about, and after visiting, I can’t understand why.
Unlike other national parks that require miles of hiking, timed permits, or tons of pre-planning, Cuyahoga Valley National Park feels like a breath of fresh air. Easy. Like a place where you can slow down, explore, and soak in the beauty of the Midwest.
If you’re planning a trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park with kids, this is exactly how we spent our weekend—and how I’d recommend doing it.
Why Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park with Kids Is the Perfect Adventure
Tucked between Cleveland and Akron, this park is surprisingly full of adventures, and is the perfect spot for families to connect with nature and learn about the history of the area.
You’ll find:
- Waterfalls you can walk to without a long hike
- Trails that feel adventurous but still kid friendly
- Bike paths that stretch for miles without traffic
- A really unique way to see the park via train
It’s the kind of park where you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a really good day. It also makes for the perfect day trip from Cleveland, or combine it with Hocking Hills State Park for a long weekend adventure.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park with Kids
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Ohio is known for humid summers and moderately cold winters. So when is the best time to visit?
- 🌸 Visit in the spring if you want: rushing waterfalls, wildflowers, and mild daytime temperatures
- 🍃 Visit in the summer if you want: longer days and lush green landscapes
- 🍂 Visit in the fall if you want: vibrant fall colors, cooler weather, and some of the most scenic views of the year
- ❄️ Visit in the winter if you want: quiet trails, fewer crowds, and frozen waterfalls
Our family visited mid June and found it to be an excellent time! The foliage was green and waterfalls were flowing, but we missed the peak summer heat and humidity.
How Much Time Should I Spend in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
You can easily enjoy the highlights of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in a day, but there are plenty of kid friendly hikes and unique adventures to extend your visit for a full weekend. We combined our time in Ohio with a visit to Hocking Hills State Park, as well as spent a day exploring Cleveland.
If you do decide to make your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park a weekend adventure, you can read more about where to stay here.
Day 1: Waterfalls, Epic Hiking, and a Scenic Train Ride
Boston Mill Visitor’s Center
We always like to start our visit to any National Park with a stop in the visitor’s center to explore and grab Jr. Ranger books for our kids. This visitor’s center has a great exhibit with plenty of hands on spots for kids of all ages – it’s a great way for everyone to learn some of the park’s history before you head out to explore.
Make sure to stop by again to turn in your completed Jr. Ranger booklets, take your Jr. Ranger oath, and pick up your badge. This is one of our kids very favorite souvenirs from National Parks – and it’s free!
Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
This is such a fun way to experience the park from a different perspective, and a must do in my opinion!
They offer tons of different themed rides, and you can book tickets to board the train from several train stations in the park. We left from the Peninsula station, which was a short drive from the visitor’s center. The ride takes a little over 2 hours, and you can pick your seat class when you book your tickets. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time on their website. They offer snacks and drinks for purchase on the ride as well.
You can choose from coach, table, first class or the dome, and adult tickets range anywhere from $15 – $30, depending on class. I booked our family a table in the dome car after seeing a influencer post about it on Instagram – it looked awesome! Sitting at a table surrounded by a glass ceiling, with prime views of the scenery. It sounded like the perfect afternoon activity for our family.
Something I didn’t know about though – there is an amazing children’s car located at the very end of the train. One of the attendants came by our table and mentioned that we really needed to check it out, so we did. And it was so great that our kids refused to go back to our dome class seats! They spent the rest of the ride enjoying this train themed playground on wheels, and my husband and I enjoyed the view from these seats.
In hindsight, I should have booked the cheaper economy tickets, since we spent most of the ride in the children’s car. Oh well, now I know!
Brandywine Falls
If you’ve seen photos of this park, chances are it was this waterfall.
The walk to the falls is short and mostly boardwalk, which makes it perfect for kids. There are quite a few stairs.
The waterfall drops 65 feet into a gorge, and it’s stunning! If you are a waterfall lover, this one is definitely worth a stop.
Pro Tip: Be prepared to wait a bit for a parking spot. This is one of the busiest spots in the park. Luckily it’s a relatively quick stop and parking spots are frequently opening up.
Dinner & Ice Cream
After a busy day, you are going to be ready for some dinner. There are a couple of dining options in the park near the visitor’s center, such as Fisher’s Cafe & Pub, Winking Lizard Tavern and Peninsula Coffeehouse & Market.
Make sure to head to the Boston Store for some ice cream after dinner. It’s located right across the footbridge next to the visitor’s center, and has lots of local treats and goodies you can browse.
If your kids have finished their Jr. Ranger books, you can pop back in the Visitor’s Center and get your badge while you’re here.
Day 2: Biking, Train Rides, and Letting Kids Lead
Biking the Towpath Trail
The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs right through the park, and it’s one of the most unique ways to explore this national park. You can rent regular or e-bikes from several different vendors along the trail. Pedego Electric Bikes is only a 4 minute drive from Boston Mills Visitor’s Center and would be the perfect spot to start your adventure.
The trail itself is flat, wide, and wheelchair/stroller friendly, which makes it perfect for young peddlers. If you aren’t up to biking, you can also walk or jog along the path.
You can go as far (or as little) as you want on this historic path—which makes it perfect for kids of all ages. You can find the entire map of the Towpath Trail here (there’s 20 miles in the National Park).
Hiking the Ledges Trail
Make sure to add this 1.8 mile trail to your itinerary, because it’s a must-do! You hike through the multi-million year old massive sandstone cliffs, past Ice Box cave, to scenic lookouts and past the most interesting rock formations. This was my favorite trail in the park, and I know your kids will love it!
The trail has pretty good tree coverage and provides shade, but make sure to wear good shoes because there are several spots where you will have to scramble over rocks. Definitely not stroller friendly!
Pick Your Final Adventure
If you have time for one final hike, here are some of my suggestions!
Kid friendly trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Tips for Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park with Kids
After spending time here, a few things made a big difference:
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not require an entrance fee or park pass to visit, and is open 24/7 year round
- Start early, especially for popular spots. Crowds build quickly at places like Brandywine Falls
- Bring water shoes or extra clothes – kids will inevitably get muddy!
- Make sure to pack lots of snacks, or even a cooler with lunch. There aren’t many dining options inside the park
- Buy your tickets for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad beforehand
